Saturday, February 25, 2012

Somber Saturday

Hello all,

As many of you know, our good friends from Sebastian the Sensitive Soul lost all their belongings in a tragic fire that swept through their apartment complex this past Thursday.

Thankfully they all made it out safely, but with just the clothes on their back. They're going to have to start over now, and they have nothing.


Some have asked how it happened. Initial thoughts are that the fire began in a crawl space under the complex, then moved into the gas lines. Residual gas in the lines further fueled the fire. One of the worst culprits that night was the wind, which turned the fire into an inferno. Shawnee fire chief John Mattox said that the winds made this into one of the toughest fires he has ever battled in his career.

Kathi's sweet CJ at Mission MedVet
Thankfully, no human life was lost, but some people did lose family members: to our knowledge, two cats and a dog were lost. The dog was owned by Sebastian's next door neighbor and one of the cats was owned by Kathi, a friend that Amy & I both volunteer with at Wayside Waifs.

Kathi in particular is facing a rough time - she had not yet purchased renter's insurance, she lost her beloved 14 year old kitty, Cosmo, and her other kitty, CJ, is at Mission MedVet with severe burns.

(Kathi also volunteers for the Red Cross in crisis situations...and ironically, they called to ask her to volunteer -- at her own crisis -- not knowing it was her home that was going up in flames!)

There are two ChipIn widgets in the right sidebar, one for Amy & one for Kathi. We aren't sure why Kathi's isn't refreshing, but we've been assured that the money is going directly into her PayPal account. If you are able, please consider helping out financially.


The outpouring of love, care & concern has been amazing to watch and we want you all to know how deeply this has moved Amy and Kathi. We know Amy & Sebastian will tell you this in greater detail - and in their own words - as soon as they are able. Kathi is just beginning to venture beyond facebook in social media and does not have a blog, but please know that she will see every word of encouragement written in comments here, on twitter, facebook and on other blogs.

Sebastian's mom, Amy, with Faraday

For now, please know that your words, your thoughts, your prayers are coveted.  You continue to be an incredible emotional support to them all as they go through this -- and that is a gift beyond measure.

UPDATE: Just talked to Kathi - CJ is off the IV fluids now but not eating as well today. He was snippy at first but then she said he warmed up to her & let her pet him. Pawprayers for CJ!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Bloggers Blog Hop co-hosted by Two Little Cavaliers, Life with Dogs, and Confessions of the Plume. Click the image below to see a list of the other entries:







38 comments:

  1. we're revving up the purrayers and snuggles for CJ and mommy made a donation of green papers this morning. She hopes to add to that donation when she gets paid later in the week. We appreciate you keeping us updated...this is one of mommy's worst fears and she knows there is no way she'd be able to get all three of us out to safety.
    So, we are sending lots of purrs to all involved and thanks for sharing the info!
    The gang at 3 kats and a kwilter

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    1. oh THANK you so very much! We agree, Mommy now seriously starting to plan how she'd get us three out of the house if that ever happened....

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  2. What a tragedy! My heart goes out to all those whose lives have been changed by this fire. So very sorry to hear about the beloved companions that perished that night, it is truly every pet owners worst nightmare.

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    1. Isn't it though?? Mommy now making an emergency kit purchase a PRIORITY over here!!

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  3. we're sending pawprayers for Amy, Kathi and CJ. We can't imagine what they've been through.

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    1. oh Prudence, thank you SO much! We can't either - but we see the looks on their faces, and we sob inside....

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  4. Poor CJ! I am sending lots of purrs her and Kathi's way. I'm glad you told us about them, and that there is a chipin for them too.

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    1. Thank you SO much for your purrs, Sparkle, and for posting on your own blog about the ChipIn!!

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  5. We're all wet eyed here looking at CJ. May her recovery be swift. Hope pain meds are helping her. Love to you all.

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    1. CK, wanted to let you know that the officials told Amy yesterday they don't think they will ever know what started the fire. It built up in the crawl space, so hot, burning unnoticed for so long. And then the building just...imploded...collapsed in on itself.

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  6. UPDATE: just talked to Kathi, she *is* getting the funds and is SO appreciative! She's at Mission MedVet right now, visiting CJ.

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  7. that is just so scary.....mom says fire is the thing she fears most. we are sending lots of purrs and kitty kisses......

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    1. Mommy not sleeping very well herself - she keeps mentally planning escape routes now *sigh* We know what you mean!

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  8. Our love and prayers are with Amy, Sebastian and Kathi and CJ at this awful time. Fire is such a scary thing. XXXX

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  9. Thanks for keeping us all posted. We made a small donation to both - wish it could be more!

    Your pal, Pip

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  10. Thank you for the update and info. We will help as well. We're praying for sweet lil CJ. XOXOXO

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  11. Oh this is so sad! We are purring for CJ and hope he will be okay. We'll get our mom to donate some green papers.

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    1. Please give Mom huuuge furry hugs and THANK you from us!

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  12. Oh dear, our heart breaks for Kathi and CJ. I'm purring for CJ that he will be okay. M put a few green papers in the chip in for Kathi. Wish it could be more, but every little bit helps. M said she'll add Kathi and CJ to her prayers. It's so sad to see a furbaby hurting from a fire.

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    1. We agree - we hurt for CJ and for Kathi especially. Amy says to tell you THANK you - you're such a dear friend! (And she hopes to have internet sometime next week to tell you herself :-)

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  13. We were so sad to hear about Amy, Sebastian, Kathi and CJ. So, so horrible. We are sending purrs and prayers. We'll try to rustle up some green papers for sure.

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    1. oh THANK you, thank you! Sebastian seemed calm last night, Mommy took him our Feliway spray, too.

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  14. Our hearts go out to Amy and Kathi during this terrible time in their lives. We pray for calm and peace to everyone and for CJ to recover from his ordeal.

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    1. Your prayers are MUCH appreciated. We sometimes think that's the only thing keeping them going....

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  15. This is so sad and very scary for all concerned. It is good that mo human life was lost, but those poor pets!! I do hope and pray something good will now happen for them all. x

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    1. We agree! They've been through enough, haven't they... *sigh*

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  16. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH A HOUSE FIRE AND WAS LUCKY TO GET MY CHILDREN OUT. I FEEL SO MUCH FOR KATHI, I AM JUST AT A LOSS FOR WORDS..VERY TRAGIC. I DO HAVE SOME CHAIRS IF KATHI OR AMY WOULD LIKE THEM. I AM NOT SURE WHERE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW BUT THEY ARE WELCOME TO THEM.
    THANKS FOR KEEPING US POSTED LISA

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    1. Sharon! We didn't know that! We'll tell Amy & Kathi about the chairs - thanks sooo much! You mean a lot to both of them, you know that, don't you???

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  17. Sorry, not sure where Amy and Kathi are..do know where the chairs are. The are comphy chairs!

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  18. I just tried going over to the master chip-in page, and can't get thru. It keeps taking me to an unknown page. You might want to look into that - or maybe it's just me.

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  19. This is so sad, We will certainly chip in to help.

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  20. We are so sorry to hear of this very tragic news.
    We cannot imaging the pain the residents of that building must have. To lose your furbabies is awful. We send huge purrs to Amy, Sebastian and Kathi and CJ !
    Purrs Tillie and Georgia.
    Tiger, Treasure and JJ

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  21. I question whether tweeting does little more than raise awareness of the level of need for homes for cats, I believe that it does generate funding, although small now that Pepsi Refresh is over.

    If I could give you an award for best use of the internet this would be it, so please continue.

    I was told I was the biggest donator for a supply drive for a NoKill in a central Florida city, I was floored by the lack of participation in this mean town. I'm dirt poor and just take care of my own because of a media blacklist. I decided to look at the internet, where I've been for a decade already for human and civil rights, for fund raising for animals.

    The young lady without insurance's cat and her sound very deserving. I hope those who can help do.

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    1. Thanks for your kind words about our blog! We know how frustrating it can be to try and try and try to help animals ---there are so many needs and there seems to never be enough supply or willing hands.

      Don't give up though- what you're doing is valuable and worthwhile - and for whatever animal you have individually helped, it has meant the world to them.

      It's worth it!

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  22. I been so worried bout all of you and want people to know that if you have never used ChipIn (like my mommy) it's very easy & uses paypal. We will try to send more green paper to help and hope other do too! Does CJ has enough money for pain meds? I'm sure vet make sure he not hurtin! My auntie lost her house to fire TWICE. Luckily, never lost furbuddies so we know how devastating. Much lubs and nose bumps coming your way.

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Coolio! A comment? For US?